Lazio have initiated contact with Benfica to explore the possibility of signing 22-year-old forward Ivanovic on a dry loan. The Italian club is looking to secure the Croatia international without an option to buy, aiming to provide the player with the consistent playing time he has struggled to find in Portugal.
Ivanovic joined Benfica last summer from Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal valued at €22.8m. While he made 42 competitive appearances for the Portuguese side, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, he has expressed frustration over his limited role. The forward started only 13 of those matches, a statistic that has become a central concern for his career progression.
According to Sportitalia transfer pundit Alfredo Pedullà, the primary motivation for Ivanovic's next career move is the guarantee of regular minutes on the pitch. Lazio believe they can fulfill this requirement, leading them to propose the loan arrangement.
The competition for the center-forward remains active, with several other clubs monitoring his situation. Interest has been reported from Como in Serie A, Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig, and Hull City in England.
Since making his senior international debut for Croatia last year, Ivanovic has earned nine caps, recording two goals and one assist for his national team.
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